Foundry Classes

Lawler Foundry Classes are project-specific, affordable, and enjoyable metal casting classes designed for novice-level students. No experience necessary. Fun for adults and kids! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Students with some prior experience will also enjoy these classes. Tools and materials are provided.

Casting involves pouring liquid metal into a mold, which contains a hollow cavity of the desired shape, and then allowing it to cool and solidify. The solidified part is also known as a casting, which is broken out of the mold. Metals used in the Lawler Foundry are primarily aluminum, bronze and iron.

We use two different types of sand molds - oil bonded and resin bonded. Oil Bonded Sand is a mixture of a super fine grade of sand mixed with petro-bond clay and oil. The idea is that every grain of sand is surrounded by clay and oil, giving the mixture strength. This sand gets fantastic detail and is reusable. Resin Bonded Sand is a mixture of a super fine grade of sand mixed with a 2- or 3-part chemical that binds the sand together and becomes hard. The benefit of this sand is its strength and its ability to withstand high temperatures. However, for small foundries and hobbyists it is not reusable.